Congresswoman Houchin Introduces Bill to Prioritize Evidence-Based Programs

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Erin Houchin (R-Ind.-09), a member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee and the Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee, introduced the Prioritizing Evidence for Workforce Development Act. The bill requires workforce development funding be prioritized for programs with proven success, like the Goodwill Excel Center in Clarksville, Indiana.

In committee, Congresswoman Houchin has focused on the need for workforce programs to re-engage the 40% of able-bodied adults who are not currently participating in the workforce.

“Throughout my travels across the district and meeting with business owners, workforce shortages are always at the top of their list of challenges. That’s why my first bill in this committee focuses on re-engaging the 10 million American adults who are not participating in the workforce. We have seen successful models like Goodwill Excel Centers that educate and assist with the employment of non-traditional students. This bill ensures these and other programs like it will be prioritized in receiving funding through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) reauthorization. This will be a big first step toward rebuilding the economy and growing the workforce, and I thank Senator Braun for working with me on this important issue,” said Congresswoman Houchin.

Congresswoman Houchin introduced this legislation alongside Senator Mike Braun (R-Ind.) who introduced the same legislation in the Senate earlier this year, making the bill bicameral. 

“Workforce shortages are top of mind for Hoosier businesses when I travel the state. The best solution for this issue lies in effective, evidence-based education and workforce development programs to prepare Americans to fill these jobs and close the skills gap. I’m glad Congresswoman Houchin is introducing this legislation in the House to ensure that evidence-based workforce programs are prioritized across the nation,” said Senator Braun.

In April, Congresswoman Houchin visited the Excel Center in Clarksville. In May, Congresswoman Houchin highlighted the Excel Center’s great work in the House Education and Workforce Committee as she discussed the need to improve the current skills gap and address the workforce shortage. Watch the hearing video, here.

“I’ve been there and seen it firsthand and the Goodwill Excel Center is doing amazing work by taking that marginalized population and providing them an education and opportunities that they might not otherwise have,” said Congresswoman Houchin in the hearing.

"We applaud and appreciate Congresswoman Houchin for introducing this common-sense change to our adult education system. Prioritizing improvements based on evidence will help students and families achieve economic prosperity. As a provider of adult education through Adult High Schools, we welcome the increased emphasis on ensuring that our programs are serving our clients well,” said Senior Vice President Betsy Delgado of the Goodwill Excel Center National Office.

In addition to Senator Braun, the legislation is cosponsored by Representatives Lisa McClain (R-MI-09), Mary Miller (R-IL-15), Larry Bucshon (R-IN-08), John James (R-MI-10), Aaron Bean (R-FL-04), and Mike Lawler (R-NY-17).

“The workforce shortage in this country continues to be a crisis with no end in sight” said Congresswoman McClain. “I am proud to cosponsor the Prioritizing Evidence for Workforce Development Act to remedy this problem and support young folks that are wanting to enter the American workforce.”

“The Prioritizing Evidence for Workforce Development Act is a common-sense approach to addressing our workforce challenges, closing the skills gap, and helping to fill the 11 million job openings in the United States. Michigan’s 10th Congressional District currently faces significant workforce challenges, and this bill would directly address these challenges while encouraging Americans to develop new, practical skills for future employment,” said Congressman John James.

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), enacted in 2014, was the most recent update of the public workforce system and was designed to connect skilled workers with employers.

“Too many times in government, we continue to throw money at programs without much thought to tying funding to the outcomes we seek to achieve. Previous workforce reform prioritized connecting job seekers to employers. In today’s economy, if you are seeking a job, you can find one. The current workforce challenges have outgrown the 2014 WIOA, and we must change our approach. This legislation is one piece of our plan aimed squarely at that goal,” said Congresswoman Houchin.

As the Education and Workforce Committee considers WIOA reauthorization, Congresswoman Houchin is pushing for the need to prioritize funding for proven evidence-based programs.

For the bill text, click here.